Snowfall in Metro Vancouver's forecast for Boxing Day

For those who wanted a ‘fresh’ White Christmas for areas in Metro Vancouver that have not seen any new snow for a week or have seen their snow melt, new snowfall will come one day late.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley for December 26, when streets and malls are packed with shoppers for Boxing Day.

See also

• Overcrowding issues expected at Metrotown Station on Boxing Day
• 21 best Boxing Day deals in Vancouver

It is anticipated that a deep low pressure system packed with moisture currently over the Pacific will approach the north coast of BC overnight then progress southeast on Monday. Strong southerly winds will pick up during the day as the system arrives, especially for areas near the Strait of Georgia.

Precipitation will fall as snow due to the frigid airmass expected for Metro Vancouver tonight. A low of -2°C is anticipated when precipitation begins to fall during the early morning hours of Monday.

“Moisture associated with this system will interact with the cool airmass in place inland resulting in moderate to heavy snowfall for inland sections of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland,” reads the statement by the federal weather agency.

“Snow will begin Monday morning and continue through Monday night. The snow will eventually change to rain over most regions. As is normally the case, the changeover from snow to rain will take longer in certain areas, particularly over higher terrain, resulting in locally significant accumulations.”

Currently, a daytime high of 3°C is in the city of Vancouver’s forecast for Boxing Day, but this could change and could vary between areas. A snowfall accumulation depth estimate is forthcoming.